How much does a receptionist earn?
Receptionists are the first point of contact in hotels, companies, medical practices and public institutions: welcoming guests and visitors, coordinating appointments, handling phone and email, and managing check-in, information and simple office processes. Entry is often via hotel specialist training, office management or a career change with service experience. Gross pay depends on region, sector, shift patterns and responsibility. As a guide, qualified receptionists in Germany in 2026 often earn about €2,550–€3,150 gross per month; during training around €900–€1,200 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The apprenticeship column covers dual entry routes (e.g. hotel specialist, office management) or comparable training pay; qualified means working receptionists at the front desk. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, sector, shift allowances, employer, region and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A receptionist shapes the first impression at the desk: welcoming visitors and guests, clarifying requests and coordinating phone, email and face-to-face contact. Everyday work includes check-in and information, appointment and room planning, and cooperation with service, admin and specialist teams – often in shifts and with a high communication load.
- Greet guests and visitors, check IDs and appointments, and support check-in/check-out processes.
- Operate the switchboard and email inbox, forward requests and communicate information clearly and politely.
- Coordinate appointments, meeting rooms and internal workflows with teams, management and service providers.
- Keep the reception area tidy, accept mail and parcels, and handle simple admin and cash processes.
- Apply booking and office software, data protection and house rules securely in day-to-day work.
- Stay organised in peak times, handle complaints confidently and initiate emergency or security procedures when needed.
